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Achieve new heights on some of Yosemite’s most scenic trails. They will generally be longer than a moderate hike with more dramatic elevation gains. These demanding hiking tours are perfect for novice and experienced hikers and will offer a different perspective of the distinct character of the Valley and High Country. Expect to hike up to eight miles with elevation gains up to 2000 feet. Tours will last approximately six to seven hours.
Begin your morning hiking up steep switchbacks (1000 feet in 1 mile) to one of the most breathtaking views you can ever imagine. After standing face to face with the Upper Yosemite Fall, the hard part of your day will be complete, and you will spend the rest of the hike wandering around the western end of Yosemite Valley photographing along the Merced River.
Distance: 6 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 1000 feet
Time: 6 hours
Water Requirements: 60 ounces
Best time to visit: October-June
Step on the Mist Trail and hike the first leg of the giant granite staircase. Experience Yosemite Valley’s all-year waterfalls on this path which is famous for soaking its visitors in late spring. This hike is steep but very rewarding. The breathtaking views are worth the steep climb up the granite-carved steps, and this tour allows us to experience as much of the beauty of the JMT without the extra 600 feet of elevation gain. One overlook on the Clark Trail cutoff is one of the most spectacular waterfall views in all of Yosemite. Some portions of this trail are closed during icy conditions in winter months. If they are not accessible, we will attain other exciting views along the John Muir Trail which remains open throughout the year. We will traverse along this path for various sections of the hike regardless of the status of the other trail.
Distance: 5 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 1400 feet
Time: 5 hours
Water Requirements: 70 ounces
Best time to visit: October-June
Start the day from Glacier Point, Yosemite’s best view of Half Dome. From there, we will ascend 900 feet over the next mile to Sentinel Dome. This is, by far, the most challenging stretch of hiking for the day. We’ll catch our breaths on the summit of Sentinel Dome, and have breathtaking panoramic views of all of Yosemite with a well deserved snack. We will then travel to discover some of Yosemite’s geological wonders, the Taft Point Fissures. The Taft Point overlook presents us with one last spectacular vista before we return along a quieter trail. This versatile hike can be customized to be a Gentle, Moderate, or Intermediate Hiking Tour based on your group’s needs.
Distance: 8 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: ~1300 feet (7200′ at trailhead-8122 feet at Sentinel Dome-7503 feet at Taft Point)
Time: ~6 hours
Water Requirements: 70 ounces
Best time to visit: June-October
Explore the trails of Yosemite Valley’s South Rim and discover breathtaking scenery over three thousand feet above the valley floor. This interpretive hike meanders through lush meadows with countless wildflowers to striking vistas with awe-inspiring views of the glacier carved Yosemite Valley and the high country ranges.
Distance: ~9 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 500 feet
Time: 6 hours
Water Requirements: 70 ounces
Best time to visit: June-October
Visit Galen Clark’s beloved giant sequoias and spend a day learning about fire ecology in the national park. The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias and Yosemite Valley were the first protected wild lands in the world. Explore the trails to the lower and upper groves for an exceptional experience witnessing some of the largest and oldest living organisms in the world. We will discuss the unique ecological roles of these trees as well as the history and natural world of Yosemite National Park. In the lower grove we will visit the famous Grizzly Giant and California Tunnel Tree. From there, we will also explore the upper grove to see some new growth sequoias that offer a promising future for the species. You will also visit a replica of former guardian Galen Clark’s cabin along with the tree named after him as well as Wawona Point.
Distance: ~6 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: ~ 1200 feet (start at 5600 feet at trailhead and descend to 6810 feet in Grove)
Time: 6 hours
Water Requirements: 70 ounces
Best time to visit: September-July
Enjoy a pleasant day hiking on a gentle paths in two of Yosemite’s Giant Sequoia groves while we visit some of the largest living organisms in the world. The trail follows two roads that are only accessible by foot as we explore Yosemite’s northern groves of about 45 mature Giant Sequoias. We will discuss the unique ecological roles of these trees as well as the history and natural world of Yosemite National Park. After visiting the first grove, we will take a short drive to the next for more opportunities to photograph some of the most impressive giants of Yosemite.
Distance: ~7 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: ~ 500 feet (start at 6200 feet at trailhead and descend to 5700 feet in Grove)
Time: 6 hours
Water Requirements: 60 ounces
Best time to visit: October-April
Discover 2 pristine Yosemite lakes with magnificent views of Mt. Hoffman and other high country mountain ranges throughout this hike. The trail gradually leads to May Lake which sits directly below Mt. Hoffman’s summit. Then it’s off to the tranquility of Raisin Lake. This hike is 6 miles roundtrip with an elevation gain of 1000 feet. Swimming opportunities will present themselves at May Lake on the return.
Distance: 6 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 1000 feet
Time: 6 hours
Water Requirements: 60 ounces
Best time to visit: June-October
At Tioga Pass sits a trailhead to one of Yosemite’s most unique hikes, yet it stays undiscovered by the average hiker. A steep early climb offers sweeping vistas of some of Yosemite’s tallest summits and an opportunity to climb the 11,000′ Gaylor Peak. From there you will descend to the Gaylor Lakes and explore an old mine site on the Yosemite National Park boundary before the return to explore more lakes on a cross-country route.
Distance: ~4 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: ~1500 feet (9950-11,000 feet + losing & regaining elevation at the lakes)
Time: 5 hours
Water Requirements: 60 ounces
Best time to visit: July-October
